Jersey trans guidance for schools causes division

Trans issues are being highlighted across the world, including at this rally which was held in New York City in the US in March

Guidance issued by Jersey's Education Department for pupils who are gender-questioning has been criticised by parents because they do not have to be consulted.

The guidance states that "being LGBTQ+ or exploring their gender identity does not in itself constitute a safeguarding concern, nor is it something the child's parents or carers must be informed of".

A petition has been set up calling on Education to scrap it, claiming it could negatively affect the mental health of very young children and was contrary to government pledges to put children first.

The department said the guidance was "to provide much-needed clarity for our teachers and school staff" on how to "best support" children.

Jean Lelliott wants Jersey's Education Department to revoke the guidance until parents are consulted

"The Education Department needs to update their guidance," said Jean Lelliott who set up the petition.

Members of the trans community said the guidance was about encouraging tolerance and raising awareness.

Ms Lelliott acknowledged that but added: "I don't think there is anything intolerant about Jersey.

"We're not a backwards society; we're very accepting of people and it's such a tiny, tiny percentage.

"But it is totally confusing the vast majority of our children who don't understand it."

Parent Michael Shenkin wants the guidance scrapped

Some parents have criticised the guidance while others said they supported the help it would provide for trans children.

Michael Shenkin said: "They're children. They're not old enough to make these sort of life-changing evaluations regarding medical intervention.

"It's not something that should be the default position for a pupil and it may not be that that is the root thing.

"If you are suggesting that if something is wrong, then it might be because you are trans, that might be the position that the child takes, instead of exploring whether there are other things in their life which might be causing their unhappiness.

"Their unhappiness may not be caused by the idea that they're born in the wrong body, and they shouldn't be teaching ideas like they're born in the wrong body."

Another parent, who did not want to be identified, said: "If you ask me why I'm worried about this as a parent, it's the fact that the Education Department is pumping guidance into Jersey schools, telling them to do things around this issue, and also not tell me. I think that's extraordinary.

"I think the job of the Education Department is to be current and up to date with this debate. "

But another parent, who asked not to be identified, said the guidance would ensure all teachers knew how to treat young trans people with dignity and respect.

"The guidance provides a framework of reassurance and promotes inclusion to support everyone. By strengthening the guidance, we create safe spaces for our young trans community in schools," they said.

Another parent added: "I feel reassured by this guidance, knowing that my child could talk to an informed teacher at school about their identity.

"If for some reason my child did not come to me in the first instance, I would want them to have someone else to go to in confidence for support.

"My responsibility as a parent is to love them as they are, support them and help them thrive. Education and schools should not be bullied by people who don't have lived experience and to whom this guidance isn't even applicable."

Kaye Nicholson, from the charity Liberate, says not all children have supportive families

A Channel Islands charity that promotes equality said that, while children were encouraged to discuss their feelings at home, not all of them came from supportive families.

Kaye Nicholson, from Liberate, said: "We would encourage families to have these discussions in order that children and young people feel comfortable discussing this with their family members.

"Part of the guidance actually states that teachers are encouraged to talk to young people about whether they've had this discussion with their parents and with their guardians, and part of that is the holistic approach to ensuring that the young person has adequate support."

But she says children in Jersey do not have access to puberty blocking medication or the option of surgery.

The Education Department said: "The guidance document... is in place to provide much-needed clarity for our teachers and school staff, on how to best support the children that this applies to.

"It explains that support should be provided on a case-by-case basis in discussion with the young person, their family (unless safeguarding considerations prevent this) and professionals around them.

"The focus of this guidance is to provide practical advice. It is not intended to be prescriptive or exhaustive."